Irked AOC get political with funding plea

Adrian Warren

Published: 04/05/2019Updated: 4 May 2019 6:08 pm

AOC chief executive Matt Carroll has lobbied for more government funding for Olympic sports. Credit: AAP

The Australian Olympic Committee will seek meetings with the major political parties before the federal election over future funding, after expressing disappointment at losing out to leading professional codes.

"I noticed a handful of professional sporting clubs received over $125 million in grants and Olympic sports with more participants, with gender balance and greater diversity were ignored," he said, noting professional codes already receive significant income from broadcasting rights.

"It's a long game and it will not be solved quickly but we are looking to call on both parties (Labor/Liberal) to have a good conversation with us and our sports about funding into the future."

Carroll stressed it was hard for Olympic sports to get quality coaches without recurring grants.

"That's very important for sports to be able to plan and manage the appointment of coaches," he said.

"You don't get good athletes without good coaches, so they are struggling to be able to do that, particularly if the grants are only over a one-year basis.

"I challenge anyone to run a business when a substantial amount of your income is only on a one-year basis."